Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he "doesn't have the genius" of fellow footballing greats such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario by former Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello. The Portugal and Al-Nassr superstar is still going strong at the age of 41, and remains on track to score 1,000 career goals before he retires, but has been told he's still not one of the very best.
The president of Flamengo has revealed his club's stance on re-signing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior as speculation continues to surround the future of the Brazil international. The forward's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires next year and he looked unlikely to pen an extension during Xabi Alonso's brief spell in charge of Los Blancos. Now, Luiz Eduardo Baptista has admitted his side can't commit to a deal with Vinicius any time soon.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly targeting a "dream" deal for Barcelona midfielder Pedri in a potential repeat of the Luis Figo transfer saga that rocked European football in 2000. Pedri has emerged as one of Barca's brightest stars since joining the club from Las Palmas in 2020, and Perez is said to be keen on luring him away from Real's arch-rivals.
Manchester United are capable of luring Vinicius Junior away from Real Madrid, claims Luis Saha, with Michael Carrick restoring positivity and optimism to Old Trafford. It remains to be seen who will be calling the shots when another transfer window swings open, but the Red Devils are expected to enjoy a busy summer in 2026 and may line up a raid on Santiago Bernabeu.
Endrick's agent has confirmed where the Brazilian superstar will play his football in 2026-27 after enjoying a great start to life in France on loan at Lyon. The forward has hit the ground running in Ligue 1, scoring a hat-trick in a big win over Metz, which has led to speculation Lyon could try to keep him at the club. His agent, Tiago Freitas, has now offered an update on the situation.
Kylian Mbappe was fuming at the match officials during Real Madrid’s win over Valencia, with the France international caught on camera calling the fourth official a “d*ckhead” during a heated half-time exchange. The World Cup winner wanted some questionable decisions to be explained to him at the Mestalla, but was left frustrated by a lack of communication from those calling the shots.
We still have a title race in England! Manchester City's hopes of winning the Premier League looked to be over after they fell behind to another stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield on Sunday, but Pep Guardiola's men produce a sensational fightback to defeat Liverpool 2-1 and close the game to leaders Arsenal to just six points.
Kylian Mbappe is “on track” to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, claims Los Blancos boss Alvaro Arbeloa, with the French superstar being backed to chase down a record-breaking tally of goals at the Bernabeu. Mbappe was on target in his latest appearance - a 2-0 victory over Valencia - and has reached 82 efforts in total for the Spanish heavyweights.
Alvaro Carreras scored a memorable goal and Kylian Mbappe added a late second to carry an otherwise mixed Real Madrid past Valencia, 2-0. Los Blancos were well short of their best in a tricky Sunday night fixture, but a duo of second half goals spared any blushes, and ensured that they are very much in the title race after a winter slump.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha is reportedly a priority target for Real Madrid as Los Blancos eye a midfield signing ahead of next season. The 25-year-old has become one of the world's best during his time in Paris and is now believed to be top of Real Madrid's list of transfer targets as they make plans for the future, which also include the likes of Endrick and Nico Paz.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has accused Clasico rivals Barcelona of generating the “biggest scandal in the history of Spanish football”. The Blaugrana remain embroiled in the long-running Negreira case, with accusations being levelled at the Catalan giants of bribing match officials. No definitive conclusion to that saga has been reached, much to the bemusement of Arbeloa.
Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca has reprimanded the officials who took charge of his side’s game against FC Nantes after Real Madrid loanee Endrick was shown a red card in what the Portuguese coach described as ‘very harsh’ circumstances. Fonseca continued to criticise the referee and demanded that his forward gets protection from persistent fouling by the Ligue 1 officials.
La Liga champions Barcelona have issued a statement to confirm they have officially pulled out of the European Super League. The Catalan giants were one of the original 12 clubs to sign up to the controversial project and are one of the last to leave, leaving bitter rivals Real Madrid as the only remaining team still in support of the ill-fated scheme.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo has sustained a hamstring injury and faces a period on the sidelines, in the wake of his Champions League suspension. The Brazil international was shown a red card during their 4-2 defeat to Benfica and will subsequently be absent from the rematch between the two sides.
Kylian Mbappe has sent a bailiff to Paris Saint-Germain to demand €5.9 million from his former employers, with the club now facing a deadline of eight days within which to pay the striker. The Ligue 1 giants have already paid out €55 million (£48m/$65m) of a €60.9m (£53m/$72m) settlement.
Eden Hazard has hailed a surprise Chelsea ace as the best player in the Premier League and also revealed his favourite memory from an incredible career that saw him play for the likes of the Blues, Real Madrid and Ligue 1 side Lille, in an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Manchester United have been told to go and sign Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid to get back towards being a proper football team. Bellingham is having a difficult third season at the Bernabeu, receiving criticism for inconsistent performances under Xabi Alonso and successor Alvaro Arbeloa. And a former Red Devils defender believes they should try and bring him to Old Trafford.
Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign has suffered a significant blow after Rodrygo was handed an extended two-match suspension by UEFA. The Brazilian was sent off during a dramatic 4-2 defeat to Benfica, and his punishment ensures he will miss both legs of the upcoming knockout play-off rematch against the Portuguese giants. With stars like Jude Bellingham also sidelined, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa faces a major tactical crisis.
Kevin-Prince Boateng has revealed that he “had to lie” about his love for Cristiano Ronaldo in order to become a team-mate of Lionel Messi at Barcelona. The former Ghana international completed a shock move to Camp Nou in 2019. After sealing that switch, it was made clear to him that he was not to speak in glowing terms about CR7 or Clasico rivals Real Madrid.
Why does Cristiano Ronaldo always have so much bad luck?!... First, Erik ten Hag didn't recognise his unrivalled ability at Manchester United, then Fernando Santos ruined his 2022 World Cup bid with Portugal. And now, the powers that be in Saudi Arabia are conspiring to make sure his trophy drought in the Middle East extends to three-and-a-half seasons. Give the guy a break!...
Endrick continues to set French football alight after his latest heroics for Lyon in the Coupe de France. The Real Madrid loanee secured a vital breakthrough against Laval, later admitting the strike allowed him to vent frustrations from previous weeks. With five goals in five games, the Brazilian starlet is quickly becoming the new idol of the Groupama Stadium faithful.
Endrick continues to offer parent club Real Madrid timely reminders of what he is capable of, with another spectacular goal being recorded during a productive loan spell at Lyon. The Brazilian wonderkid headed to France at the start of the winter transfer window after finding regular game time in Spain hard to come by. A dream start to life at the Groupama Stadium has been enjoyed.
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi has responded to speculation that he is the one player Real Madrid need right now amid a difficult season for Los Blancos. The Spanish giants have already sacked manager Xabi Alonso and brought in Alvaro Arbeloa but sit second in La Liga, are out of the Copa del Rey and face a play-off against Benfica to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Real Madrid have paid a heavy price for failing to replace Toni Kroos following his retirement in 2024, but then doing so was always going to be a tough task. For starters, the ex-Germany international ranks as one of the finest deep-lying playmakers of the modern era.